Friction shock-absorbing mechanism



May s, 1928.

s. B., HAs\-: LT|NE FRIGTIO SHOCK ABSORBING'MECHANISM 4ofiginal'Filed May 14, 1924 2 Sheets-SheerI 1 Patented May 8, 1928..

sTACYnHAsEn'riNE, orion-Ionen; rnninoishnssrenon, ny MEsNnAssIGN'MEN'rs.,

" To W. H. MINEIeuNo., Aj coronnrion onlin-AWARE.'

FRI-orion sHoox-AB'sonBING MEoHANisM.

yApplication led k'May 14, 1924,' SeriaIfo.' 713,138. lRenewed February@ i.

This invention relates. to improvements in f friction shock absorbingmechanisms.

@ne-object ofthe invention is to .provide high capacity friction. shocky absorbing mechanism', of the intercalated plate type,

especially adapted for. railway draft rigigings havinga relatiiveljT light f-rictional re sist'ainceduring' the initial action and at which time there sriio relative movement of friction plates with reference to each lo th otgier.` y

iltn'ia-inobject in this invention is to ,pro-

vide a mechanism ofthis type, xvliereinre lease of: the Wedge system is assured and l5 whereinithle plates are.' forced into close fric.

tional engagement for their full length'and li-uclli'ng` is prevented. The latter refers to the flanges on members D.

Anotl'ier object of the invention is to provide 'aifrictionshock absorlriing .mechanisnn including a friction shell, a. plurality of in*V tercalated 'friction elomcntsand a coacting friction 'wedge system,v together With means for restoring the friction elements to normal position after each compressionstroke, so ar ranged that restoration of the friction elements is assured by effecting release of the friction Wedge system prior toany relative release movement of the friction elements it() themselves. f Y I 'A more specific objectof the invention is to provide a mechanism of the character in;V

dicatedi includinga friction shell, a plurality of relatively movable coactinpl friction elements and tandem arranged springs directly enacting with said shell and cer-tain of said'friction elements to restore. the same to normal' centered position.

@ther objects and advantages of the in- "40 vention Will more clearlv appear from the Ydescrifption and claims hereinafter follow# ing. y Y

In the drawings forming.v 'a part of this specification, Figure l a longitudinal, horizontal. sectional. View of a portion of a railway draft rigging showing' niv improve.- rments iin connection therewith. Figure 2 is a front end, elevational vienT of the. shock ali-so-rbin mechanism proper. Figure Sis' a no vertical' transveis'e, 'sectional` viexv corresi'ionding substantiall7 to the line of ligure l. Figure Ll is a `longilnic'linah..sectionalTvie-iv of he forwardl portion of the ocli` absorbingA inech'anism proper, corre- Y.pondi-nk.,I filbstantiallY tothe line 'l-albi fit .Figui-e1, And Figuref is adetailed, `Sid@` rear stop lugs 12-12- The linnerend portion ofthe drawbar is .indicated at the samebeing operatively connected to a yoke le ot;` wellknoivn form, within whichl are disposed the vshock absorbing. mechanism proper, a front follower arear,.follower .16.` T heyoke and parts therewithin are` supported in operative position b'ya detachahle saddle platelf.r i, The injipl'ored shock absorbing` mechanism proper, as shownJ compriseshroadly, a friction-shell or casingv A g front and urearWedge blocks ,l-B front and rear `pairs ofl wedge shoes C-M-C; tivo y friction elements DWD; tivov groups of interealated friction plates tandem arranged;spring,resistance elements Fel-F; front and rear spring followers Gr-G77; `fronti andrear clips fl-Il; ar partition plate J and a retainer bolt K. p

he fric-tion shell or casingtAhis in the Vform of a rectangular'box-like casting, open at its opposite ends, and ihaspspaced, longitudinally -disposedfside Walls 18-j-18and longitudinally, disposed, spaced `top and bottom walls 19.--19al theinterior. faces of ythe side Wells 18 presentinglongitudinally extending friction. `surfaces adapted to coact with the mitermost platesjof` the groups of plates lil-lil. As clearly shown yin Figure 1,`the

`shellii isof such a length that the frontfand pand-bottomwalls are! pl ally alined, short, transverse adapted .to receive topy and bots with ve openings n tomends d pose l pla-te- J; the plate; boing held `closely ijiitbin the openings@ di secure-15 by meer? springs.y llfidJn-*ay` betweenthe endsfof the fshellfthe to ,ice-tively ot-thie vertically7 dis` f of the retainer-bolt K. Each of the openings 2i is preferably reinforced by a boss located on theV inner side of the corresponding wall io. Y f A T he `front and rear wedge blocks B are of like construction, each being in the form of a hollow casting and having anouter datVV face adapted to abut the inner surface of the cmrespondingmain follower. block is also provided with a pair of faces 223 at the opposite sides thereof, converging inwardly of the'mechanism and adapted to coact with the adjacent pairs of friction wedge shoes C.

The friction wedge slices C-C, which are four in number, are arranged in pairs at the opposite ends of the `mecliaiiisni,.each pair co-operating with the corresponding wedge block B. Un the inner side, that is, the side nearest the longitudinal axis of the mechanism, each shoe has an enlargement 24; provided with an outer wedge face 123 correspondingly inclined to and adapted to coact with the correspondingl wedge faces of one of the blocks B. The outer side of'each shoe is flat, presenting an elongated friction surface adapted to coact with the corresponding friction element D.

As herein shown, two groups of friction plates E are employed, one group being disposed on each side of the mechanism. Each gronpis preferably composed of outer and inner plates 2li-26 and an intermediate plate 27. rlhe outer plate 26 of each group has frictional. contact with the inner surface of the corresponding side wall 18 of the shell and the inner plate 2G of each group frictionally engages the outer face of the adjacent friction element D. The plates 26 and 22T arc of similar construction, and as bestshown in Figure 5, each plate has at one end, vertically alined top and bottom notches Q8. Attheopposite end, thetop and bottom edges of the plate are cut away to provide a section of reduced height 29. The plates 2G and 2T of each group are reversely arranged. the plates 26 having the notches Q8 at the forwa rd end and the plates 27 having the notches at the rear end. The two friction elements D are of like construction, each being in the yform of an elongated member of -cross section for the greater portion of its length, having a vertically disposed section 30 and horizontally disposed top and bottom plate-like sections defining inner and outer stifi'ening flanges 31 and The inner and outer surfaces of the section EachA groups of plates E and the corresponding front and rear slices, the vfiat outer face 25 of the shoes bearing on the inner surface of the section 30 and the innermost plate 26 of said group bearing on the outer surface of said section. The top and bottom flanges 3l and in addition to serving as stilfening members for the elements D act as top and bottom guides for the shoes C and the two groups of plates respectively. Vhen the parts are assembled, the webs 33 are substantially in transverse alinement and clear the central partition J. The webs 33 and the partition plate J jointly serve as abutment means for the inner ends of the outer coils of the respective spring resistance elements F, and the plate J' also serves as an abutment for the inner ends of the inner coils of said spring elements, thespring resistance elements l? being arranged in tandem shown, one having its front end engaging the front spring follower Gr and the other having its rear end engaging the rear spring follower plate G. rlhe front yand rear spring followers G bear directly on the inner sides of the enlargements Q4 of the front and rear pairs of .shoes respectively. The follower plates G are preferably of rectangular shape with the corners notched and project above and below the corresponding pair of shoes and the adjacent groups of plates as clearly shown in Figure 4t.

The two clips HMH, one of which is disposed each end of theV mechanism, are of like construction. `lilach clip H is in the form of a rectangular plate having inwardly projecting top and bottom flanges 3l. The plate-like portion of each. clip is provided 'ith a rectangular opening 35 through which the outer end of the correspomling wedge bloclr B projects. The openings 35 are of such a size as to allow free working movement of the wedges therein. The top and bottom flanges 3st of the clips embrace the outer ends of the plates l and the inner edges vof said flanges normally abut the corresponding spring follower G. On the inner side, adjacent the free edge thereof, each flange 34; is provided withv a. pair of short, transverse ribs 36 disposed at opposite ends thereof7 each vrib being acconnnodated in the space between the corresponding friction element D and the adjacent sidewall 18 of the shell. The ribs 36 of Vthe top and bottoni flanges of each clip are vertically alined. the, top and bottom ribs of the front clip heilig engaged respectively within the top and bottom notches 28 of the plates and the top and bottom ribs of the rear clip engaging within corresponding notches of the plates 27. The notches 2S of each of the plates QGand 27 are so spaced with refervence to the end of the plate that said end will abut the inner surf ce of the plate-like body portion of the corresponding clip.

lOl)

"trent set fof' Slices The reduced sections .Jo the plates uref adapted 'to work between the top and bottom 'vide siiflicien'teleeritnce to peri'nitl full moveinc'nt `of vthe plates during n compression sti-(lire: T11-eclipsl ure preferably hardened, so that they also function as weer plates coucting with the endsof `the friction plates 2'6 land 27. p

Itwill he evidenttlintthe ontercoils of the 'twin springs, which heeren thev webs ofthe eleineiitl), andt'h-epartitiOn 3, and the :inner coils offsaid springs, [which bear on'` the hitter, Servette nniintein the elements Dizind the shell A properlyv centered and in theszirne relative position with respect to onefnnot'hei'; `Tvhe-n'tlfe perts are in 'nornrsl full' release' position, the eli-ps H :1re held in their outermost position by the springs F conctinglwith the respective spring followers G, that is, the plates will he mainteiiied in the'position sho-wn in Figure 15th@ plates 26 having their fron-t ends projecting; beyond the Corresponding endothe shell and tlieplzites QTh'Ming their rezrr ends projectin'gheyonditlie rear 'lend of the shell, and the outer faces of the corresponding clips being' sligl-rtly spaced freni thefront and rezir followers.A Y I 'glheparts ofthe shock allisorhing incohenisin are lieldinirsse'nil'i'led relation and the' mechanism inaintainedztt the proper overall length by the retainer bolt K extending through the inner coils of the tir-ndern springs F `andv zrlined openings inthecen- 'rari partition J and front {rnd-rear spring followers Gr--Gr` and lieving-itsffyfront and rear ends anchored in t'lierec'ess'es oft-he hol# low front :ind rear wedges respectively, The bolt l also serves t0 hold the mechenisni under initie-l 'coinpr seien.` As weer occurs on the various friction and wedge feces, compensation therefor will he hndljy theA expansion of the twin spring' elements F, which are free to force 'the wedge shoes spar-t. n 'f he operetion of the mechanism` is srs'follows, assuming an inward or leuning moveinent of the drnwha'r. The front' fo wer'l will'heinove'd rearwardly, compressing the tandem spring resistance elements F and thereby forci-ngthe-reer set o'f'wedge shoes C into full wedging engage/nient "with the rear Vwedge B, which is held lstiitioiiery hyV the' follower 16. At tthe sznneti'ine, zrwedg'- ing action will be set up simultaneously*at both ends of the device, hetween the'f ont 'und rear wedges'and' shoes, pflncingthfe vfriction plates `under lateral pressure, which is distributed Unifr'nmljY over their entire surfaces-:hy reason of'thestitllening'v flanges 3l and 82 of'tli`e-1neiiliers D. As 'reirrw rd niove'inent of the fllon r continues, the 'W-ill 'slide ertftli friction elements' Atlthe saline time although thiere'is ir relative slipping betweeirthe yfront` v shoesiindfelcments l),l due tothe yfriction between tliep'ii-rts, the elements l) will be cer-5 rieti i with the-shoes, hilt nte.' slower rate@- jihe' friction yelements D, the shellAy and friction plates VE--E will be carried rearwardly i in unison, ,due to friction between the parts, the shellnnjd elements `D `in edditionheingf forced rearwardly directly vhy the pi ssnre' of the front spring F. A relative si lingin'ioiei'nent of the elements D and the front end rear set` of shoes C will `thus effected. 'During this yaction," the front spring Vfollower (i will he `moved inwardly zrway frein the inner end of the front clipv H, the front follower 15 `will 4approach seid clip :ind the forward ends'of the plates 26, :rnd the' plates 27 together with the rear clip lil will npl'ironcli the rear follower' '16; This' net-ion will continue nntiltl-ie-front and rear "followers engegeftl-ie lfron-t end rear' clips `H respectively, whereupon the plates 'Q6 and 27 `willhe"n'ioved relatively 'to each other, i greatly ang-inenting the, frie-` tionnl "resistance olfere'l.' LThe described n'ioveine of the followers, plzrtestand shell continues Untilv theec'ti-niting feree is re# inovedffoi".until the frontend *rear ends of lio `sito the lrear step liigs,`tliereby lpreventing` the ispriiigs from being* driven solid.

Dn-riingffdraft, tlreection `is suhstantiel-ljIv the reverse that just described, thefront follower'l remainingstationary while the "follower is inoved town-rd the seine.V lpon luctioir'of `the -nct'uiiting force, the 'wed 1g pressure willhe relieved und there w' libe nin initial release nioxf'en'i'en-t of tliev frietionfshoes and wedges diie to the springt" lower-eG being spaced inwardly' of the espondingrl clips lil dering coin-` pressionjof the mechanism. yAn easy and quick llfeleisennd rcertein rediictionof lsterzil -pressnrelon the group -of friction pistes is thusassnred. As either setof'sh'oes litthe fro'nt'orreer end of the ineehsnisininove outwardlyrelativelyjto the shell, due tothe expansive iactionof theasprings Fj, the spring followerfG "which Imov si 'ontwfi'rdh7 in n'nisoii therewith eoinesinto engagement withxthe corresponding'clip andthe lyteletes which :rre anchored to the-clip will be fcnrried outward ly therewith. On'acconnt "of the friction existing between the pliites of erich group, f

acting en the -wehs endthe"partition J lli c have herein shown and describedwhat now consider the lpreferred manner of carrying out my invention, but the same is merely illustrative, and l conten'iplate all changes and modifications that come within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

l claim: y Y A Y 1. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a group of intercalated, relatively movable friction plates; of a friction element coacting with said plates; lateral pressure-creating means disposed at each end of the mechanism at one side of said group of plates; a lateral pressure-resisting member kdisposed at the Opposite side of said group of plates; and amain spring resistance cooperating with each lateral pressure creating means and directly engaging both said meinbe and element to restore the same to normal, central position.

2. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism. the combination with a group of longitudinally disposed, relatively movable coacting friction elements, one of said elements being longitudinally braced and having abutment' means midway between the ends thereof; of lateral wedge pressure creating means disposed at opposite ends of said group of elements and coacting with one side thereof; lateral pressure-resisting means coacting with the opposite side of said group of elements, said last named means also having abutment means thereon; and tandem arranged springs bearing on both of said abutment means, said tandem arranged springs coacting respectively with said wedge pressure-creating means.

S. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a group of longitudinally disposed, relatively movable coacting friction pla-tes; of relatively movable follower' acting means adapted to effect relative movement of said plates; a fric-,

tion element at one side of said group of plates, said element being provided with longitudinally disposed stiffening members and a transverse web: a lateral pressureresisting member engaging the opposite side of said group of plates, said member having a transverse wall; a friction wedge system at each end of the mechanism forplacing said plates under lateral pressure, including a wedge member and a friction shoe engaging said friction element; and front and rear spring resistance for said wedge systems, said spring resistance elements co-opera-ting respectively with said element bearing on opposite sides of said web and wall.

it. ln a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with front and rear main followers; of a group of intercalated, relatively movable friction elements interposed between said followers, the elements of said group having the opposite ends norreally spaced.. from said, followers; ineens for restoring said elements to normal position, said means including wear plate members co-operating with the front and rear ends of said elements, said plates being anchored to said elements and engaging the outerends thereof; lateralV pressure-creating means on one side of said group of elements; a lateral pressure-resisting member disposed on the opposite side of said elements; and a spring resistance coacting with said means for restoring said elements and said pressure-creating means.

5. ln a friction shoclr absorbing mechanism, the combination with a group of longitudinally disposed, relatively movable coacting friction elements; of a friction wedge system including a. friction shoe engaging one side of said group of elements; and lateral pressure resisting means engaging the other side of said group of elements and limiting lateral outward movement thereof in one direction and also limiting lateral outward movement of said friction wedge system in the opposite direction; a clip engaging the outer ends of alternate elements of said group, said clip having means thereon forrrestoring said elements to normal position; movable follower means adapted to engage said clip and move the same to effect relative movement of said elements; a spring follower' coacting with said clip and shoe; and a main spring resistance.

6. In a friction shoclr absorbing mecharnism, the combination with a friction shell;

of groups of relatively movable, intcrcalated, friction plates coacting with the shell; means for effecting relative movement of said plates, said means being normally spaced from said plates; spreading means between said groups of plates for placing the same under lateral pressure, said spreading means including friction shoes: a longitudinally disposed friction elen'icnt interposed between said shoes and eachA group of plates7 each of said elements being provided with stiftening means; and a spring resistance coacting with said shoes, shell and elements for restoring the same to normal position.

7. ln a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the con'ibination with front and rear followers; of a plurality of longitudinally disposed friction plates interposed between said followers, said plates being alternated and divided into separated groups: means enclosing said groups of plates for resisting lateral outward movement thereof` said means having an abutment thereon: lateral pressure-creating means at each end of the mechanism, each lateral pressure-creating means including friction wedge shoes; a friction element interposed between each group of plates and the corresponding slices, each of said elements having abutment means thereon; and tandem arranged yielding resistance .means interposed, between said lat lll) `able friction elements at opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the n'iecl'ianism, each of said elements having abutment means thereon; wedge pressure-transmitting means at opposite ends of said mechanism and coacting with said friction elements; tandem-arranged springs between said elements cooperating with the wedge pressure-transmittingA means," said springs having their inner ends engaging said lpartition wall and abutments; and a group of intercalated relatively movable friction plates interposed between each friction element and the corresponding side of the shell, said plates adapted to be engaged by said followers and movedv relatively to each other upon approach of said followers. Y f

9. In a vfriction shock absorbing mechanism, the' combination with follower' acting means; of a group of intercalated, relatively movable friction elements coacting with said follower means; means for restoring said elements to normal position, said means including a wear plate interposed between said follower acting means and the adjacent ends of the friction elements and ro-operating with said ends, said plates being anchored to said elements; a lateral pressure resisting member disposed on vone side of said elements; lateral pressure creating means on the outer side of said groupv of elements; means for limiting the relative lateral movement Vof said lateral pressure creating means and lateral pressure resisting member; and a spring resistance co-acting with said means foiI restoring said elements and said pressure creating means.

In witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 9th day of May7 1924i.

sTAcY n. HASELTINE. 

